The Writing Podcast
127 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago -This is the podcast for aspiring writers, an A-to-Z guide to writing, publishing, and promoting your article, book, or any other writing project. Your hosts are Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz, co-founders of Journey Sixty6, an editorial services company and independent publisher for the family business community. Each episode is designed to inspire and instruct writers as they take the long road trip to write and promote their ideas.
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Episodes
The Writer as Entrepreneur
January 05, 2021 21:11 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MBEntrepreneurs and writers have a lot in common. One is the persistence needed to fight through the doubts and insecurities that come when creating something from nothing. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss the writer as entrepreneur and why the entrepreneurial mindset is essential for writers on the road trip to complete their book. Writing demands patience, flexibility, and even a sense of calling. Melissa and Dave offer hope and encouragement to persist through the inevitable valley...
The Editor Is (Almost) Always Right
December 28, 2020 14:22 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MBWriters need editors. Editors amplify the voice of a writer. Editors assist with clarity, flow, and emotion. In this episode, Melissa and Dave make the point that the editor is almost always right. And that writers should welcome with open arms the feedback of an editor. That doesn't mean, of course, blindly accepting everything that the editor suggests. Melissa and Dave come up with four questions to help you evaluate what your writing needs.
How a Business Coach Developed Her Book Idea
December 22, 2020 01:10 - 44 minutes - 60.9 MBWhat makes an idea substantive enough for entire book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Cathy Carroll, founder of Legacy Onward, a leadership coaching practice for family businesses. After years in corporate, she was asked to run her father's business, and learned first-hand the stark differences between corporate leadership and family business leadership. Cathy's experience became the basis for a book idea that promises to reshape the conversation about leadership in a family bu...
Starting to Write Again after a Long Pause
December 15, 2020 18:43 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBThere's an enormous energy required to start something new. And maybe even more energy is expended when restarting a book project after a long pause. In this episode, Melissa and Dave discuss the challenges of starting to write again. And how to pick up where you left off and, once again, make progress. They provide encouragement as well as practical advice for jumping back in the car and completing another leg of the book writing road trip.
The Journey from PhD Dissertation to Book
December 07, 2020 21:40 - 40 minutes - 55 MBIt's no snap turning a PhD dissertation into a book. For starters, a dissertation is positioned for a micro-audience (your committee members). The bulk of the project is focused on the research methodology. And the writing cadence of a dissertation is constantly interrupted by references to dead authors. The writing of a book must appeal to a completely different mindset than that of a dissertation committee. In this episode, Dr. Alan Amling, a former senior executive with UPS and teaching f...
How Publishing Changes Your Life
November 09, 2020 20:36 - 36 minutes - 50.4 MBSo what really motivates you to write and publish a book? In this episode, Melissa and Dave talk candidly about how publishing changes your life. Or doesn't. At least, not like you think it will. We all tend to have overblown expectations about publishing, whether sales or prestige. Publishing is an important mile marker, no doubt. And it can evoke a great sense of satisfaction. Unless you're on a longer writing journey, however, you may feel some disappointment.
The Decision to Start Writing Your Book
October 31, 2020 16:13 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBFew aspiring writers wake up one morning and say, "Today, I am going to start writing my book." Often, we think about an idea or ideas for months or even years before the decision to start writing is made. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Alysa Clark, a storytelling photographer who recently made the decision to start writing her book. Founder of "Water Street Dreams" and a regular blogger, Alysa has wanted to write a book for years but now is doing the hard work of writing 20 min...
Moving from Idea to Writing Your Book
October 31, 2020 16:13 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBFew aspiring writers wake up one morning with an idea for a book and start to write. Often, we think about an idea or ideas for months or even years before the decision to start writing is made. In this episode, Melissa and Dave interview Alysa Clark, a storytelling photographer who recently made the decision to start writing her book. Founder of "Water Street Dreams" and a regular blogger, Alysa has wanted to write a book for years but now is doing the hard work of writing 20 minutes every ...
How to Conduct Research for Your Book
October 27, 2020 04:02 - 37 minutes - 51.3 MBResearch is essential to a well-written book. We all know that, but how much research should you conduct? And when is enough enough? In this episode, Melissa and Dave identify different kinds of research and help aspiring writers with some of the basics of book research. This is an introduction to the topic of book research, meant to encourage writers to start with the question, "What do I want to know?"
Network Now to Promote Your Book Later
October 19, 2020 23:58 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBWho likes to "network"? Not many of us. The very idea of standing around at a holiday soiree with a cocktail in hand trying to make small talk is enough to cause nausea. And yet building relationships now is essential as you promote your book later. In this episode, Dave and Melissa discuss how to build authentic relationships that you can draw on later in your book publishing and promotion journey.
"I Didn't Think I Had a Writing Voice"
October 11, 2020 14:00 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBVoice is your writing DNA. It's what makes your writing unique. It's what makes someone say, "You must read this author." Voice is how authors create a following. In this episode, Dave interviews Melissa about how she developed her writing voice. Melissa is frank about her insecurities and honest about the work she did to formulate her distinctive voice. This episode is for aspiring writers on the wonderful and often-long road to developing their voice.
Should You Go on a Writers Retreat?
October 04, 2020 11:06 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBIs a writers retreat worth your time and money? Will you really make progress on your book? That depends on what you want from the retreat. In this episode, Melissa and Dave raise and answer five questions to help you determine whether you should go on a writers retreat.
The Three Phases of Promoting Your Book
September 27, 2020 15:28 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBIf you want your book to sell, the hard work of promoting it must begin the moment you lay down your first sentence. Promotion is a mindset that may be difficult to embrace as a writer. In this episode, we identify the three phases of promoting your book. We also discuss some practical book promotion ideas to jump start your thinking.
S1:E7 Vintage Designer Sean Scherer on Promoting His Book "Kabinett & Kammer"
September 19, 2020 17:42 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBThis week is launch week. Sean Scherer is launching his book, “Kabinett & Kammer," which took ten years to write. Yes, ten years. In this episode Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz interview Sean about the book writing journey and what he is doing specifically during "launch week" to promote the book.
Vintage Designer Sean Scherer on Promoting His Book "Kabinett & Kammer"
September 19, 2020 17:42 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBThis week is launch week. Sean Scherer is launching his book, “Kabinett & Kammer," which took ten years to write. Yes, ten years. In this episode Melissa Parks and Dave Goetz interview Sean about the book writing journey and what he is doing specifically during "launch week" to promote the book.
The Complete Roadmap for Publishing Your Book
September 07, 2020 23:01 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBThe journey from first sentence to printed book comprises a lot of moving parts. In this episode, Melissa and Dave provide an overview of the complete roadmap for publishing your book. This episode is for those who want to understand the big picture. Each element demands that the author pays attention to detail, especially near the end of the process.
S1:E6 The Complete Roadmap for Publishing Your Book
September 07, 2020 23:01 - 28 minutes - 38.6 MBThe journey from first sentence to printed book comprises a lot of moving parts. In this episode, Melissa and Dave provide an overview of the complete roadmap for publishing your book. This episode is for those who want to understand the big picture. Each element demands that the author pays attention to detail, especially near the end of the process.
Turning Your Presentations into a Book
August 23, 2020 03:47 - 22 minutes - 31 MBJust because you're a dynamic speaker doesn't mean you can easily convert your PPT presentations into a book. Speaking isn't writing. Yet within all content that you've created for presentations may be an idea that is book worthy. In this episode, we pick apart the idea of tossing your presentations into chapters and churning out an instant book. Instead, we help you with identifying a strong book idea and coming up with research, stories, and observation to create a book that impacts the wo...
S1:E5 Turning Your Presentations into a Book
August 23, 2020 03:47 - 22 minutes - 31 MBJust because you're a dynamic speaker doesn't mean you can easily convert your PPT presentations into a book. Speaking isn't writing. Yet within all content that you've created for presentations may be an idea that is book worthy. In this episode, we pick apart the idea of tossing your presentations into chapters and churning out an instant book. Instead, we help you with identifying a strong book idea and coming up with research, stories, and observation to create a book that impacts the wo...
HarperOne Senior Editor Mickey Maudlin on the Promise of Your Book
August 14, 2020 14:39 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBThe first chapter of your book is key to how your writing unfolds. And whether the reader will stay engaged for the rest of the book. The first chapter must champion the promise of your book. In this interview with HarperOne senior vice president Mickey Maudlin, he discusses the importance of your book "pitch" - and making sure you answer the question, "Why should I as a reader pay $19.95 for this book?"
S1:E4 HarperOne Senior Editor Mickey Maudlin on the Promise of Your Book
August 14, 2020 14:39 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBThe first chapter of your book is key to how your writing unfolds. And whether the reader will stay engaged for the rest of the book. The first chapter must champion the promise of your book. In this interview with HarperOne senior vice president Mickey Maudlin, he discusses the importance of your book "pitch" - and making sure you answer the question, "Why should I as a reader pay $19.95 for this book?"
A Guide to Hiring a Ghostwriter
August 05, 2020 15:39 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBMany professionals feel uneasy about hiring a ghostwriter: Is doing so an accepted practice? In this episode, Dave and Melissa allay the fears of those who may want to hire a ghostwriter - and offer some practical advice on how to stay engaged in the process - and come out the other end with a book that you feel proud to promote.
S1:E3 A Guide to Hiring a Ghostwriter
August 05, 2020 15:39 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBMany professionals feel uneasy about hiring a ghostwriter: Is doing so an accepted practice? In this episode, Dave and Melissa allay the fears of those who may want to hire a ghostwriter - and offer some practical advice on how to stay engaged in the process - and come out the other end with a book that you feel proud to promote.
S1:E2 Cyber Safety Consultant Liz Repking on Making Time to Write
August 04, 2020 19:51 - 27 minutes - 38 MBIt's one thing to make time for writing if doing so is your full-time job. But for most professionals, making time to write is a detraction from doing the very activities that generate immediate revenue. In this episode with Liz Repking, cyber safety consultant, she describes the difficulty of making time to write and finding the confidence to move forward with the project. Her story about completing the Boston Marathon will inspire you to keep moving from "water station to water station" in...
Cyber Safety Consultant Liz Repking on Making Time to Write
August 04, 2020 19:51 - 27 minutes - 38 MBIt's one thing to make time for writing if doing so is your full-time job. But for most professionals, making time to write is a detraction from doing the very activities that generate immediate revenue. In this episode with Liz Repking, cyber safety consultant, she describes the difficulty of making time to write and finding the confidence to move forward with the project. Her story about completing the Boston Marathon will inspire you to keep moving from "water station to water station" in...
S1:E1 The Role of Developmental Editing in Book Writing
July 31, 2020 12:23 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBIn this first episode, Dave and Melissa address one of the more muddy issues of writing book - developmental editing. Often developmental editing is confused with line editing or even proofing. If you're self-publishing a book, you need the function of a developmental editor to sharpen your book thesis, help you structure the book, and tell better stories.
The Role of Developmental Editing in Book Writing
July 31, 2020 12:23 - 21 minutes - 29.3 MBIn this first episode, Dave and Melissa address one of the more muddy issues of writing book - developmental editing. Often developmental editing is confused with line editing or even proofing. If you're self-publishing a book, you need the function of a developmental editor to sharpen your book thesis, help you structure the book, and tell better stories.